Gospel singer Sandra Godley has sung at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela – seven years after being asked to perform at a party honouring the former South African leader 87th birthday.

The city singer sang at an emotional memorial service at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday, bringing back memories of being asked to perform at a birthday bash in Mandela’s honour held at the Houses of Parliament in 2005.

The cathedral held the service to mark the life of the anti-apartheid campaigner, who died at the age of 95, and included an address by the Bishop of Coventry, Dr Christopher Cocksworth.

Sandra said: “It was fantastic and a great crowd turned out as well. I got to perform this wonderful song, Amazing Grace acapella, and it was great to throw my voice around the cathedral.

“It was an honour to be asked to sing at the service, just as it was to sing at a commemorative birthday celebrations for Mandela at the Houses of Parliament in 2005.

“I won an award that year and along with the other winners we were invited to perform at the event which was attended by all the great and good, including celebrities and politicians.

“Mandela couldn’t be there himself but it was really moving to sing for him and the tribute was recorded and sent for him to see. So it was poignant that I got to sing also at the end of his life as well.”

As for the legacy that Mandela leaves behind, 49-year-old Sandra, who lives on the Bannerbrook estate, believes the effect he had on the world will be felt for years to come.

Sandra said: “He was inspirational in terms of being in jail for 27 years and then to come out with a view of peace and reconciliation is incredible.

“He always inspired me and he has an appeal to everyone, which could be seen at his funeral as there were young and old and no colour divide – he spoke to me and my children, and will also to the next generation.”